Stories

"We are fiercely proud of all our staff who have served in the Armed Forces and this recognition aligns perfectly with our values and our dedication to upholding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant"

York College & University Centre
York College's story

"The most rewarding part is seeing the cadets grow confidence in themselves."

Christian Freer, Harrogate Sea Cadets
Read Christian's story
Cadet force adult volunteer, Zia Mir, standing in his uniform with a group of air cadets in the background

"Coming into an organisation like the air cadets where you're giving something back, helps to develop yourself as an individual."

Zia Mir, training officer, 110 (City of York) Squadron
Read Zia's story
Gianluca Gaudiso standing in his air cadet volunteer uniform in front of a sign which says Air Training Corps, 110 City of York Squadron

"You don't need any qualifications, you get all the training you need when you join. It's a big part of my life and I wouldn't want to give it up."

Gianluca Gaudisoi, officer commanding, 110 (City of York) Squadron
Read Gianluca's story

"You see cadets improve their skills, teamwork, communication, and empathy - that is really rewarding."

Sarah Rothwell, cadet force adult volunteer, Read School CCF
Read Sarah's story

"Before joining, I was shy and didn’t feel like stepping out of my comfort zone at all. The first time I went to my detachment I was really scared but it was the best decision I ever made."

Will Kelly, Yorkshire (North and West) ACF
Read Will's story

"In the cadets I've experienced many situations that have pushed me out of my comfort zone. Gradually, my confidence has grown, and I now know that I can call upon the skills I’ve learnt."

Joseph Doszczeczko, 366 (King Ecgbert) Squadron
Read Joseph's story
Sea cadet Talitha Ridley wearing her uniform stands in front of some greenery

“Since joining the sea cadets I’ve learnt and developed key skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership. I've also gained qualifications like my RYA Powerboat Instructor.”

Talitha Ridley, Wakefield Sea Cadets
Read Talitha's story
Cadet Callum McGrath standing in his air cadet uniform smiling in front of a blue door

"I've truly loved being part of the air cadets. I've had numerous unforgettable experiences, been taught lifelong lessons and formed fantastic relationships with my peers and mentors."

Callum McGrath, 152 (City of Hull) Squadron
Read Callum's story
Cadet Freddie Thomlinson dressed in air cadet uniform standing in front of some greenery

"The CCF has given me a sense of purpose and the ability to obtain a level of discipline and determination. I've learnt to persevere when times are a little tough."

Freddie Thomlinson, Read School CCF
Read Freddie's story
Cadet Matthew McGowan dressed in army uniform standing in front of a building looking down and smiling into the camera

"Many of my friends at school were in the CCF and told me about how much fun they were having, so I was keen to join in too. Since then I’ve taken full advantage of everything the cadets has to offer."

Matthew McGowan, Bradford Grammar CCF
Read Matthew's story
Charley Foster-Tomlinson in her army cadet uniform standing in front of a building in the sunlight

"Being in the army cadets has definitely changed me as a person for the better. I’ve gone from being shy and quiet to confident and assertive."

Charley Foster-Tomlinson, Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF
Read Charley's story
Cadet Sergeant Gemma Carr in uniform standing smiling in front of some trees

"Since joining the cadets I've learnt to communicate successfully, have become confident in my abilities and made friends for life."

Gemma Carr, Scarborough Royal Marines Cadet
Read Gemma's story

"It's not only supporting the veterans, but providing the support network that the veteran relies on"

MCVC of Rotherham
MCVC's story

“At South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue we recognise the invaluable contribution members of the Armed Forces Community make."

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's story
Woman in RAF uniform smiling at the camera

"The opportunities within the RAF reserves are absolutely amazing. Taskings come in all of the time, there's always different types of adventures for you to go on."

Corporal Jac Lee, Logistics Chef with 607 Squadron
Read Jac's story
Man with glasses smiling at the camera

"The skills I get from the reserves are transferable into civilian life and the skills I get from civilian life are also transferable into the military."

Sergeant Kalvin Neal, army reservist with 4th Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment
Read Kalvin's story
Man in RAF uniform smiling at the camera

"I've had some amazing opportunities in the reserves and to be honest I wish I'd done it sooner"

Corporal Spencer Lee, mechanical transport logistics driver for 607 Squadron
Read Spencer's story
Woman in army cadet uniform smiling at the camera

"I have an immense sense of pride in being in the ACF and being one of it's cadet volunteers."

Vicki Brooks, cadet volunteer, Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF
Read Vicki's story

"It's an awful lot of fun to experience things like gorge walking or mountain biking in the same way cadets are challenged."

Elaine Stephens, contingent commander, Manor Church of England CCF
Read Elaine's story
Yorkshire Ambulance Serice with signed Covenant

"...the Trust continues to work on its commitment to support those who have served in the military..."

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Yorkshire Ambulance Service's story

"Since I joined I have seen the real difference that being an air cadet makes to young people in my community."

William Ainsley, consultant at Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation NHS Trust
Read William's story

“There is nothing like watching the progress the cadets make during their time with us."

Clare Crebbin, officer commanding, 58 (Harrogate) Squadron
Read Clare's story
Reserves Umar and Ibrahim

“There’s nowhere else I know where you get to do the sort of things I do in the reserves and I enjoy every bit of it."

Private Ibrahim Choudhury, 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
Read Umar and Ibrahim's story
Prince Edward with three Tetra Tech executives

"We recognise the value that service leavers and reservists bring to the company and are committed to supporting them."

Chief executive Douglas McCormick
Read Tetra Tech's story
Reservist Helen Haigh outside building in Leeds she helped to manage

"Being a reserve gives you the opportunity to build a much wider skills base and I encourage all my colleagues to think about joining."

Captain Helen Haigh, Royal Engineers.
Read Helen's story
Female in front of Hull Civic Hall in army dress

“As a local authority, we’ve developed all sorts of different ways in which we and our partners can support the armed forces community,”

Tracy Harsley, assistant director at Hull City Council.
Hull City Council's story
Medical reserve Rachel Reynolds outside Rotherham Hospital

"As a reservist, you get the best of both worlds because you run two parallel careers which can each complement one another."

Major Rachel Reynolds, 212 Field Hospital, Sheffield.
Read Rachel's story

"I’m massively into physical fitness and military training gives me an extra outlet for that.”

Aircraftsman Danny Railton, 609 Squadron, Leeming.
Read Danny's story
Reserve and paramedic Vanessa Thomas

"The reserves has given me a lot of opportunities I wouldn't have got in civilian roles."

Corporal Vanessa Thomas, 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment
Read Vanessa's story

"We wanted to transform our communities to make them truly inclusive and to take specific account of the needs and challenges of the military."

Lisa Swainston, stronger communities manager
Doncaster Council's story